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UK Equity Registered Fight Directors no longer dominant
This means that most shows in any given UK market (subsidised, unsubsidised, opera, ballet, and in all regions) are done by independent fight directors. Like YoungBlood.

If you are an Equity member you can read more in the Equity Council Minutes 15 Feb 2011.
Case of Old School: Steve Dunford’s Photos
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Case of Rapiers – Grown ups, posted by Stephen Dunford on 3/29/2011 (14 items)
Sexy Beast | Blog | Screen International.
YoungBlood fight directors Tim Klotz and Lawrence Carmichael were busy this weekend in Putney.
And it was well worth the trip to Putney, if only to witness two acting dynasties literally wrestling each other to the floor Continue reading
After two incredible weeks (and two fantastic weekends) of Stage and Screen combat, Lawrence and I are exhausted. But what a great time was had by all! We had participants from eight countries on the course, and the furthest travelled was from Siobhan Richardson who was on a study grant from Canada!
Included in the 2 week workshop was an actor/combatant exam. Our external examiner was Nick Hall (BADC) who’s unassuming notes and discussion with the students after the exam were a masterclass in their own right. The exam results:
BASIC: 1 Silver, 1 Gold, 1 Distinction
INTERMEDIATE: 3 Gold
ADVANCED: 1 Silver, 5 Gold
Congratulations to all the actors who took their exams!
Fight Safe,
Tim Klotz
Modern Fight & Film: Weekend Workshop

Fight reel shooting made simple. Modern techniques for a modern industry. Including contemporary violence & martial arts.
12&13 March 2011
3 Mills Film Studios, London.
All skill levels welcome, regardless of previous fight training. Continue reading
Photo Gallery: Case of Old School Workshop
This gallery contains 18 photos.
Jonathan Howell and Jacques Cappelle and a roomful of very talented actor/combatants in a weekend workshop of case of rapier.

Workshop report: All levels intensive
Can’t believe the exam is this Friday. Scenes chosen and fight partners selected. I’m watching the advanced group learn the very last few moves of the unarmed & knife routine. Really great bunch of actors. And they are currently climbing over tables, hitting each other with chairs and knifing, punching and kicking the heck out of each other.
Sword Geek: Why prime, seconde, tierce…? A brief history of the numbers.
Is there any logic to the numbering of the parry positions?

Yes and NO. There was an old numbering system which was used up to the 1880′s which was simple and intuitive. It had only five positions and referred to the rotation of the wrist in attack, guard and defence. The simplicity and stark logic probably helped when fighting for your life. Unfortunately this intuitive numbering system was later amended to the complex eight-parry system in use for sport fencing.
The early system. Continue reading
Paddy Crean International Art of the Sword Workshop 2010/11

YB recommends this workshop as… Probably the best stage combat workshop in the world.
Watch a preview video featuring past participants.
The 2011 Paddy Crean International
Art of the Sword Workshop
Now Booking
Sword Geek: Smallsword Glossary 1784
SMALLSWORD
G L O S S A R Y
OF THE
T E C H N I C A L T E R M S
According to John McArthur
Edited by Tim Klotz Continue reading
How to take advantage of free BADC day workshops
First you need to become a member of the BADC. That’s the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC.org.uk)
The cheapest way to join is by becoming a ‘Swashbucklng’ or actor/combatant member at £15. To be a Swashbuckling member of the BADC Continue reading
Transfusion July 2010
Transfusion: The YoungBlood E-Bulletin
4 July 2010
Hi Fighty People,
HELP US OUT
This Bulletin is also on line. and we ask any of you who are keen on YoungBlood training AND social media, to like us on facebook, tweet about us or link to us. We’d really appreciate it! Here’s a shortlink to make it easy: http://wp.me/pWfzJ-f8 Continue reading
Hollywood Film Casting Fighters
THIS PRODUCTION IS NO LONGER CASTING.
Hi YoungBleeders,
Forwarding this as it came to me. Good luck with you applications.
For a major Hollywood production, we – Mad Dog Casting – are looking for ‘Spanish’ looking soldiers. Period: Georgian Time. The Aim is to build a special combat unit, that bridges the background artists with the stunt unit.
A Stage Combat Exemplar: Rick Sordelet
This is a reblog of a posting by David McCormick from 27 July 2010. David is a Vancouver based FDC Certified Teacher who is teaching and fight directing in Westen Canada. Visit David McCormick’s blog here.
New York-based Rick Sordelet seems to be the most prolific fight director in America right now. Rick is the high end of the spectrum: he has an excellent philosophy which he puts into practice getting phenomenal results in a huge number of productions every year.
Rick Sordelet is not only an excellent fight choreographer, he’s incredibly articulate. In this video, he says it better than Continue reading
Terrific Combat 2: John Wilkes Booth- the Actor/Combatant
Here is a truly terrific (old meaning*) tale about a deeply dangerous actor combatant, John Wilkes Booth. Perhaps his poor character and reckless manner as a stage fighter, was an indicator of his nascent infamy. Continue reading
YB Fight Director Helps James May with Manly Skills
In August this year YoungBlood fight director Tim Klotz, went to work on a secret project.
‘I can’t possibly comment on what exactly we were doing, but it involved James May. Mr May is one of the presenters of Top Gear and other documentary programming for British TV. I can also tell you the title of the show is Man Lab.’
Continue reading
INTERROGATORY RECAPITULATION: A catechism for the Georgian fencer, c 1784
Excellent! Thank you Mr. McArthur for thinking of us in the 21st century. We always wanted to know exactly what we should do in a duel…
INTERROGATORY RECAPITULATION
F O R
Grounding the Learner Scientifically in the Principals.
According to John McArthur
As Set Down in:
The The Army and Navy Gentleman’s Companion:
or, a New and Complete Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Fencing. Continue reading
YoungBlood recent workshops slideshow
Don’t forget to check out our upcoming November All Levels Certification Intensive.
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A Modern Theatre of Cruelty – Fight Directing for Edward Bond
Things have been interesting for YoungBlood at the Cock Tavern Theatre. The small but successful indie theatre has boldly gone forth with a complete season of six Edward Bond plays. So who is bringing the fights to life? YoungBlood’s Australian fight director Lawrence Carmichael.
Edward Bond’s work is infamous for its scenes of
depraved violence and cruelty underlining bold social comment. Continue reading
YoungBlood Auctions Workshop Place on Ebay
…and Anne Marie Sheridan has won the bidding with a single bid of £170! Congrats Anne Marie and welcome to the course.
Tim
YoungBlood is auctioning a place on the November All Levels Certification Intensive on eBay.
Ever willing to try a new way, YoungBlood wants to know what will happen when you auction a workshop place online. Continue reading
Japanese Katana for Stage Combat? Absolutely!
Youngblood’s fight director Lawrence Carmichael has teamed up with BADC instructor Simon Johns at YBs Film Fight Weekend to take a fresh look at whether the Japanese Katana (or samurai sword to some folk) can really be legitimately translated into stage combat.
Simon Johns is a long-time martial practitioner with the Katana via his training with the Battodo Fudokan school of Japanese swordsmanship. Lawrence Carmichael has already participated in the development of the Katana for stage combat with his colleagues at the Society of Australian Fight Directors.
But why the Katana? Isn’t it just the same as fighting with any long sword? Somehow I don’t think so. On top of this, why is the Katana even important to the repertoire of stage combat in modern theatre and film? Continue reading
Actor injured by blank firing gun in London’s West End
The Telegraph reports that actor “David Birrell, was shot in the eye during a performance of ‘Passion’ at the Donmar Theatre.
The West End musical has been suspended after an actor was apparently shot in the face by accident during an on-stage duel.
Stephen Sondheim’s Passion was immediately canceled after the incident which occurred during a matinee performance on Saturday. Continue reading
Actor mistaken for gunman killed in Philippines
Several News sources including The Associated Press have reported that an actor on British Film “Going Somewhere” directed by Alan Lyddiard.
Read the director’s point of view in th Guardian newspaper: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/04/killing-filipino-actor-film-locations
MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine village watchman mistook an actor for a real masked gunman, jumped onto his moving motorcycle and fatally shot him in what witnesses thought was part of the filming, police and another actor said Monday.
As the director shouted ‘Action!’, actor Kirk Abella began to speed away on a motorcycle with a masked driver and the watchman feared he was going to escape, said community police chief Alexis Relado of central Cebu city’s Parian district. So he grabbed him by the shirt and shot him, Relado said.
Many street killings in the Philippines, including those of political activists and journalists, have been perpetrated by motorcycle-riding gunmen.
March 2011- All Levels Intensive
A spectacular stage and screen combat intensive at 3 Mills Film Studios. This will cover all levels, Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced as well as fully integrated actor process training.
The course will also offer the option of three international certifications. British, Canadian and Australian exams.
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT – Advanced students who sign up for this course get the Masters Case Of Rapier workshop included as part of their course!!
Continue reading
Sword-Masterclass! Case of Rapier Weekend
Katana Test Fight – Research and Development
Last year we test drove some ideas for the a new Katana (Japanese sword) curriculum as part of our Modern Martial Arts Film Fighting Workshop in November last year. We have some video for you to view and even comment on. Continue reading
Fight Director and Creative Team Fight for Pay from Vampire Producers
Here’s a story for the books. Rick Sordelet, New York’s top Fight Director, and the rest of the creative team held the recent ‘Dracula’ production in New York to ransom when they were left with over $100,000 unpaid fees and expenses. The drama unfolded at the at the Little Schubert Theatre on 42nd Street, NYC.
Most theatre managements are genuine hardworking people who give everything they can to make their plays successful. They honour their debts and look after their artists, staff and crew to make sure the play goes off without a hitch. Not the case here, according to the papers. Continue reading
Who Trains With YoungBlood? -Meet EmmaClaire Brightlyn
A powerful actress with amazing gusto to say the least.
She’s been somewhat of a force to be reckoned with on the international stage combat scene over the last year and we are proud to have her as one of our ongoing students.
Hear Emma’s thoughts on – The Paddy Crean International Workshop, Acting within the fight scene, women in stage combat and women’s relationship to history, drama & violence.
Train alongside EmmaClaire on the following workshops:
- March 2011- All Levels Intensive
- Sword-Masterclass! Case of Rapier Weekend: Maestro Howell v. Maestro Capelle
Let’s hear it EmmaClaire!
Terrific Combat 3: Edmund Kean
Edmund Kean was regarded as the finest English actor of his day. (1789 – 1833) A child actor from a theatrical background, he was onstage from the time he was 4 years old.
Here is a snippet from Terrific Combat, compiled by Tony Wolf, which gives you an idea of the intensity and martial prowess Kean brought onstage with him.
“Where shall I hit you, Mr. Kean?” inquired a provincial Laertes of the great tragedian. “Where you can, sir,” Continue reading
This weekend is your last chance to book for the two-week All Levels intensive. (28Feb-11Mar)
We are especially keen to fill a few places left on the BASIC level.
Sign up now or contact us Continue reading
Shakespeare’s Swords 2011
DCL STAGE COMBAT CERTIFICATION
SHAKESPEARE’S SWORDS

11-16 July 2011
Studio 3
Drama Centre London
£350 Full Price
£225 DCL Students and Alum
Scholarships Available for DCL students*
Booking prices will be added by booking service
Refunds available up to 3 days before event.
This Year the Shakespeare’s swords course is for Drama Centre London Students principally, though all practitioners are more than welcome.
Contact tim@youngblood.co.uk
07967717185
*DCL students contact Shona Morris to apply for hardship scholarships. State the nature of your hardship in an email to Shona. All applications will be confidential.










